Cheerleading sisters Haley Mayer, left, wears her UND cheerleading outfit while standing beside her sister, Taylor Mayer, who wears her NDSU cheerleading outfit, at cheerleading camp in August.

Grandparents Gary and Donna Mayer of Rugby are torn with cheerful rivalry.

Next weekend, Saturday, Nov. 8, their granddaughters, Haley and Taylor Mayer, will be on the field cheerleading for their college football team at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. North Dakota State University and University of North Dakota will be playing against each other.

NDSU Bison and UND Fighting Hawks have successful seasons in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. NDSU Bison is ranked number one in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) while UND Fighting Hawks hold a top 10 ranking.

Taylor is a cheerleading “flyer” and Haley is a base cheerleader, and both are dedicated to getting the crowd excited.

Taylor’s and Haley’s family members include graduates of UND. The entire family has had a lot of fun choosing their team since both girls have joined opposing cheerleading squads.

Gary Mayer holds the NDSU Bison flag, cheering for his granddaughter, Taylor Mayer, who is a cheerleader for NDSU.

When Gary and Donna Mayer found out their granddaughter Haley was going to be a cheerleader for UND, their response was, “That’s great.” Soonafter, they were told Taylor was going to be a cheerleader for NDSU and their response again was, “That’s great.” That’s when they realized, “What are they going to do with granddaughters cheering for two different teams?”

“Normally, NDSU and UND only play one game against each other in football – two games in basketball. Other than those three, cheering is no problem. The three UND-NDSU games may be tough,” Gary Mayer said, adding, “It is a joy to attend to cheer them both on.”

Donna Mayer holds the UND Fighting Hawks’ flag, cheering for her granddaughter, Haley Mayer, a cheerleader for UND.